Tourism Council Update – August 2026
Events and Activities Drawing Tourists this Summer
Summer has arrived, and each of the Greater Cape Ann communities has events and activities that have been attracting and engaging visitors this season – and this is certain to continue. This was the focus of the July 17 meeting of the Chamber’s Tourism Council, as members of the tourism community came together to review early summer highlights and plans for the remainder of the summer.
The first weeks of July saw crowds gather for Independence Day celebrations across Greater Cape Ann, including parades, fireworks and more. On July 9, the first Culture Splash unfolded on Rocky Neck, spotlighting our artist community, and on July 18, visitors and locals were out again for this summer’s first downtown Block Party, featuring musicians, street performers, food trucks, and vendors. The next Culture Splash is set for August 6 and a Block Party for August 7. Another recurring event is Ipswich’s Downtown Tuesdays on the Riverwalk.
In early August, Manchester by the Sea was in the spotlight for their annual Festival by the Sea, this year featuring the unveiling of the town’s Atlantis sculpture, which is already drawing folks to its temporary home near the harbor. If you haven’t seen this one-of-a-kind sculpture, you’re encouraged to make your way to Manchester Harbor.
Looking ahead, Rockport Illuminations is celebrated on August 8 and the popular Waterfront Festival returns to Gloucester’s Stage Fort Park a week later, on August 15 & 16.
Anyone with questions about these and other events and activities across Greater Cape Ann can find more information on the Chamber’s capeannvacations.com website.
It’s obvious there are a lot of happenings that will encourage tourists to visit Greater Cape Ann, in addition to our beaches, working waterfront, artist galleries and studios, shops, restaurants, museums and other activities on land and on the water. Whatever is drawing visitors to the region, it is working, according to Tourism Council members who shared updates in our July meeting.
Nancy Gardella from the North of Boston Visitor and Convention Bureau reinforced this, pointing to early reports that show lodging data on par with some of our more successful years. Nancy also talked about major regional events like the World Cup and Sail Boston, which, while centered in other communities, attracted visitors to Greater Cape Ann and the North Shore. The Tourism Council will continue its efforts to gather and analyze data on our visitor-based economy.
Transportation to and around Greater Cape Ann was a focus of discussion, as the group noted that Commuter Rail, MBTA and CATA summer specials are making it easier for tourists to discover and explore our communities.
The Tourism Council also talked about the media coverage focused on Greater Cape Ann, including a feature in the July/August issue of Yankee Magazine and a Boston Globe Travel section report that favorably compared our region to other parts of New England.
While summer is off to a strong start, there is still much more to come in 2026 – not only in August, but in September, the fall, and the holidays. A continuing focus of our Tourism Council discussions is finding ways to grow our visitor-based economy outside of the summer season – and the prospects are encouraging.
We’ll address all this and more in our upcoming Tourism Council meetings – the next set for August 22. Anyone who is involved in or has an interest in Greater Cape Ann’s visitor-based economy is invited to join us for these meetings. We gather on the third Friday of each month at the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce offices — and via Zoom. If you’d like to be part of these discussions, please reach out to me or contact the Chamber staff.
Tony Sapienza
Co-owner, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn
Chair, Tourism Council
tsapienza@gmail.com
Learn more about the Greater Cape Ann Chamber’s Tourism Council
